Meet Lindsey Wander | Founder and CEO of WorldWise Tutoring

We had the good fortune of connecting with Lindsey Wander and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Lindsey, how does your business help the community?
I have built my tutoring company on my authentic desire to help students and their families. I am passionate about educating our youth with the knowledge and tools to grow into competent and conscious leaders. I believe that with the current events, people are seeking more authenticity and are drawn to those who truly care. I also think that society now better understands that “soft skills” such as self-awareness, empathy, and interpersonal skills are not just nice-to-have, but are actually vital for progress and peace. For these reasons, I am optimistic that in the coming year my business will be sought out by more and more people who are looking for a change for the better. And, since we provide high-quality services with long-lasting results, I look forward to the ripple effects that will result for years to come – improving the lives of students, their families, and the communities around them. Furthermore, as someone who works on the frontlines with members of our next generation, I am encouraged by their self-awareness, understanding, and emotional intelligence. Our youth have the empathy and knowledge to make major changes that our society so desperately needs. I look forward to empowering them with the skills to do so.

I love that I have been able to earn a living doing my life’s goal: helping others discover their authentic selves and empower them to pursue their unique passions. I am able to work towards this goal each day in the way I know best, seeking out advice when I need it. As a former teacher who had her daily instruction dictated by people far removed from my classroom, I was often frustrated by the disconnect and lack of true understanding from those “above” me. Now as a leader of my own staff, I aim to provide invaluable support and opportunities to supplement my instructors’ natural talents. They, in turn, are able to bring out the best in their students. The effects of this are endless – and I am proud to be a part of the change our world so desperately needs.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I originally enrolled at Cal State Fresno to study Biomedical Engineering, but after several domestic and international internships, I discovered my affinity for teaching and re-enrolled in college to earn my teaching credentials – despite discouragement from many people in my life that doing so was “wasting my intelligence.” Nevertheless, I followed my intuition and pursued my passions. For several years, I taught math, biology, and STEM in the low-income neighborhoods of California, making it my mission to create a learning environment that was so engaging that it motivated my students to come to school. I was able to reach my students in ways no one else could, inspiring in them a deep love of learning. We explored, questioned, investigated, learned, laughed, and loved – all within my classroom walls. However, time and financial restraints, added to endless bureaucratic red tape, prevented me from being able to dedicate the 1-on-1 time to my students who needed it. Thus, many of my “kids” fell through the cracks – and there was nothing I could do about it. So, when I moved to Chicago at the age of 29, I decided to start my own tutoring business, which later became WorldWise Tutoring. My mission was to help students of all backgrounds and abilities to not only improve their grades and scores, but to also learn the skills to become confident and independent lifelong learners, and grow into competent and conscious leaders. I sought to empower our youth with the tools to succeed in school, work, and life – so that they were in the powerful position to direct their own lives. My methodologies were so effective that my business quickly grew beyond what I could handle alone. So I started to “teach the teachers,” guiding tutors dedicated to my cause with my best practices. Now, years later, I have seen my students return home from college as accomplished, self-sufficient adults who are still eager to learn more. I found a career that I love and that makes the world a better place. My goal is to inspire my students to do the same.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Dallas Zoo is one of my favorite places to take my nieces and nephews. It has a wide array of different animals for children to learn about, as well as many beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy. Something that may not be obvious from photos online is how beautiful the landscaping is around the zoo: there are so many colorful flowers and impressive trees that you actually feel like you are part of the exhibits simply by walking around.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I started my company unofficially when I left my stable job with health benefits to tutor full-time. For the first couple years, I took any and every opportunity – regardless of the commute, pay, or subject. Within three years, I was working with students 60-70 hours a week and was turning away referred new clients simply because I did not have the time in my schedule. I very vividly remember a conversation with my college friend, Dr. Sarah Anderson, at that time. I was telling her how I was overwhelmed, but hated rejecting people who needed my help. Per her suggestion that I hire tutors, I expressed my concerns about them providing the same quality of service and my job shifting to managing people rather than doing what I love, which is teach. She said, “The first one you hire will be the hardest. Then you will wonder why you didn’t do it sooner.” She was so right! Initially, I struggled with how to hire someone: the process, legalities, and precautions. Once I got the logistics sorted, I struggled with finding the right person. I also struggled with entrusting other instructors with my students. Over time, the positive reviews and elevated student scores built my trust. Now I consider it one of my superpowers to seek out and inspire incredible instructors. I have found myself in the unique position of teaching the teachers, sharing my methodologies to educators passionate about my company’s mission. I enjoy providing the opportunity for others to do something they love. So, while the first was the hardest, I am glad I took that leap that got me where I am today: helping thousands of children all over the world to grow into confident and independent lifelong learners.

Website: https://www.worldwisetutoring.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/WorldWiseTutoring/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/worldwisetutoring/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/worldwisetutor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WorldWiseTutoring/v

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCzmHvAEv6InRTM-h5e8L5bw

Other: Blog: https://www.worldwisetutoring.com/blog/ Student Handbook: https://www.worldwisetutoring.com/handbook/